Performance Study of Gravity-Type Heat Pipe Applied to Fuel Cell Heat Dissipation

Abstract

A gravity-type heat pipe boiling characteristics test rig was constructed to solve the heat dissipation problem of fuel cells during operation. The boiling heat transfer characteristics of water in a parallel plate under negative pressure at different inclination angles and heat flow density input are investigated. The results show that: First, the gravity-type heat pipe can dissipate some heat and it is possible to use it for fuel cell heat dissipation. Second, with a certain range of heat flow density, the temperature of all parts of the plate is about 80 °C, with a small temperature difference, which is conducive to the safe operation of the fuel cell. Third, the heat flow density is in the range of 2222~3111 W·m−2, the temperature difference is large, and the outlet temperature is greater than 80 °C, which exceeds the operating temperature of the fuel cell, and the power-type heat pipe should be used for heat dissipation. Fourth, the average temperature of the plate placed at an inclination angle of 45°~60° is lower compared to other angles, and the temperature is evenly distributed. On the one hand, the conclusions reveal the characteristics of boiling heat exchange under negative pressure conditions of water inside the flat plate and, on the other hand, provide a reference for designing heat pipe systems for fuel cell heat dissipation.